motorcyclistonline.com | 99JULIA LAPALMEDOIN’ TIMEHARLEY-DAVIDSON ROADSTER
Another café for the road- buying a new harley-daVidson
with the intent of keeping it stock is rare.
I don’t expect Roadster owners are any
diff erent, but instead of the usual cruiser
treatment most Sportsters get, upgrades
made to this model will more likely
refl ect its sportier character.
The Roadster’s lower handlebars
add an aggressive look, but the mid-
location of the foot controls feels like
a compromise, both in looks and in
comfort. I suspect the ability to accom-
modate a passenger has something to
do with this setup. H-D’s Rear Set Foot
Controls (h-d.com; $700) relocate the
rider pegs to the passenger-peg loca-
tion for a more natural riding posture
with low bars.
To test whether or not I’d be okay
with this modification, I hopped on
the bike, kicked down the rear pegs,
and went for a ride. For the next few
days, I did this front-to-rear-footpeg
shuffle and actually found the rear-
ward position more comfortable. The
only trade-off is the loss of passenger
pegs, which, for me, really isn’t a deal-
breaker since I’m also installing a solo
seat and a café tailsection.
The rearset kit can be ordered
separately, but I bundled it with
two other pieces from Harley’s Café
Custom Accessories package, the Café
Custom Tail Section (unpainted, $550;
Vivid Black, $700) and the Sportster
Clubman Handlebar ($200). No cutting
or drilling is required, but several parts
get shelved so you’ll want to save them
if you plan to de-café the Roadster at
some point in the future.
Installation of the rearsets requires
removal of the exhaust system. I advise
reserving a weekend for the installation
in a spot where, if necessary, you can
leave the bike overnight. Instructions
recommend having a factory service
manual on hand. I managed without,
but if you are unfamiliar with Sportster
anatomy, a manual is a good investment.
The handlebar swap took less than an
hour, while the Café Tail took about two
and required removal of the stock seat
and rear fender. The H-D rearsets were
a bit more challenging for me, as I had
some diffi culty getting the pegs to slip
into the kit’s brackets. I actually had to
force them in place with a pair of pliers,
something I don’t expect to do with parts
that come from the factory.
Aside from that hitch, the rest of the
parts fi t nicely. Next, I’ll order paint
from ColorRite to match the new tail-
piece to the gas tank. That’s tomorrow
though. Today, I ride! —Brian Hatanowrist Brian Hatano
msrp (2017) $11,299
miles 2,602
mpg 47
mods Harley-Davidson Café
Custom Accessories
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MCY1017_TIME.indd 99 7/24/17 3:44 PM